ON THE WATER

Kevin Durant

Durant’s switch from Oklahoma City to Golden State has understandably hijacked off-season discourse, raising questions about the NBA’s competitive balance and how the system treats small-market franchises. He’ll remain firmly in the public eye at the Rio Olympics, joining a different, even more stacked Olympic team in pursuit of different kinds of headlines. Durant’s size and shooting ability makes him as difficult to guard as any player in the world and a perfect fit for international rules, and the only players capable of matching up with him adequately happen to be his teammates. He’ll take aim for his second Olympic Gold (2012) and team with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to offer a sneak preview of what’s to come next season with the Warriors.